Luggage



S. BALIN LUGGAGE Feb. 25, 1941.

Filed Jan. 1:, 1939 INVENTOR Patented Feb. 25 1941 UNITED s AT s LUGGAGE Samuel Balin, Newark, N. 1., asslgnor to Orenstein Trunk Com, Newark, N. J., a corporation'of New Jersey Application January 13, 1939, Serial No. 250,683

' 1 Claim. -(c|. 190-49) This invention relates particularly to luggage, such as suit-cases, valises, sample cases, satchels and traveling bags, although the invention is susceptible of use for other baggage, containers and the like.

In the handling of pieces of luggage such as valises, traveling bags, and the like, the edges or corners of the pieces frequently are knocked or bumped against each other or against other obo jects such as baggage, trunks, vehicle seats and walls, so that said edges or corners are defaced and sometimes actually broken or weakened. This is especially true with pieces of luggage whose walls are formed of stiff or relatively hard [5 material and the corners or edges of which have ornamental bindings or coverings of leather and the like. Bumping of the edges or corners of such luggage against hard surfaces frequently results in cutting or seriously abrading the edge or 30 corner bindings.

A prime object of my invention is to provide novel and improved means for protecting the edges or corners and-edge bindings of pieces of luggage and the like against injury from bump- 55, ing or knocking of said edges or corners or edge bindings against .other articles or structures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a piece of luggage .or the like that shall have a novel and improved edge or comer binding,

30 whereby damage to the edge or corner of the piece of luggage or such edge or corner binding, shall be reduced to the minimum;

A further object is to provide such an edge orcomer binding that shall be simple, inexpensive,

5 reliable, durable and attractive in appearance, and which can be applied to different types of luggage, containers and receptacles.

Other objects, advantages and results of the invention will appear from the following descriplo than when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which- Figure 1 is a perspective viewof a traveling case or similar piece of luggage embodying my invention.

15 Figure 2 is a fragmentary enlarged transverse sectional view on the line 2-4 of Figure 1, and

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view with a portion of the facing strip of the edge binding broken away and portions of the cushion to a cover section B, there being suitable latches or looks C of generally known construction holding the two sections in case-closing position.

The case has top, bottom, side and end walls I, 2, I and 4 respectively, the top, bottom and end 5 walls comprising complemental portions of the body and cover sections A and B. These walls are angularly disposed with respect to each other and adjoining walls meet each other in corners 5 which constitute the edges of the case.

My invention consists specifically in a novel and improved corner or edge'b'inding for the case. This binding is shown as comprising a rib-like strip 6 of cushion material, for example felt which is soft and resilient, extending along each corner of the case. Preferably the strip Sis halfround in cross-section and has its flat side lying wholly at one side of the corresponding corjner, that is, wholly upon and in contact with or abutting relation to one of the two. walls that meet at said comer. Where possible, as shown, the strip 6 preferably is one piece and extends continuously along the corner formed by one side wall 3 and the adjoining top, bottom and end walls.

Each cushion strip is covered by a facing strip 5 of suitable material, such as leather which is pliable andrelatively tough, each edge or marginal portion of which is secured to one of the walls that meet in the corresponding corner. Preferably the facing strip is secured to thewalls of the case by lines of heavy stitching 8 that penetrate the walls of the case outwardly of the edges of said cushion strip.

It is also desirable that the outer walls of the case be covered with a flexible material such as a layer of fabric 9, and this fabric may overlie and cover the cushion strips 8 beneath the facing strips 1 as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3.

With such a construction, it will be observed 40 that any blows applied to the corners of the case will be largely absorbed by the cushion strips 6 so that the force of the blows 0r impacts will be diminished in such a way as to protect the corners of the case against damage. At the same time, the cushion strips will yield to permit the facing strip 1 to recede under such blows or impacts and thereby protect the facing strips against being cut orbroken under the force of the blows or impacts. 4

The central longitudinal zones of the corner bindings project substantial distances above the surfaces or general planes of the walls of the case on which the cushion strips are mounted, so that the bindings protect such walls of the 55 case against contact with other cases or objects that might be set upon or alongside the case having the bindings.

Also, the bindings form ornamental and attractive beaded corners or edges for the case.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the corner bindings may be applied in diflerent ways than that specifically shown and described, and the cushion strips may embrace the corners or edges of the case, if desired, and may be applied to either of two walls of the case that meet to form a corner. The corner binding may be applied to many different-types oi luggage and other receptacles and the details of structure of the corner binding may be modified and changed without departing from the spirit or scope oi the invention.

Having thus described my claim is:

A luggage case having a side wall and top, bottom and end walls disposed in angular relation to each other and forming corners between themselves and said side wall, and a corner binding including a rib-like cushion strip extending continuously along said corners and in contact with said top, and and bottom walls and borderinvention, what I in: said side wall and comprising soit resilient material that is inherently relatively incapable of withstanding tearing and abrasive forces, and a facing strip that is inherently pliable but relatively resistant to tearing and abrasion and overlies said rib-like strip withits longitudinal marginal portions extending beyond the corresponding longitudinal edges of said rib-like strip, one oi said longitudinal marginal portions being secured to the corresponding top, bottom and end walls by a line of stitches, while the other longitudinal marginal portion or the facing strip overlies said corners of the case and is secured to said side wall by a line of stitches, whereby said iacing strip protects the cushion strip from abrasion and tearing and the cushion strip forms 7 a resilient backing for the facing strip to proprotect the stitches from contact with other objects.

SAMUEL BALIN. 

